Grain bin unloading conveyor system

Abstract

An unloading conveyor system for unloading grain through the floor of a grain bin. A removeable cover is vertically supported by the plurality of ribs to cover the span of the midpan to allow maintenance. The midpan comprises a plurality of slots and ledges to receive and support the ribs to allow easy installation and maintenance. A central pit having an internal portion and an access support wall also provides easy installation and maintenance. The first bearing mount, second bearing mount, and roller are all accessible for service through the internal portion of the central pit.

We claim: 
     
       1. An unloading conveyor system for a grain bin comprising:
 a. a central pit; 
 b. an access support wall dividing the central pit into:
 i. a belt return portion; 
 ii. a service access portion; and 
 
 c. a roller slot disposed within the access support wall. 
 
     
     
       2. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a. a roller slot cover mounted to the access support wall to cover the roller slot. 
 
     
     
       3. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a. a roller mounted within the belt return portion wherein the roller may be pivotally removed through the roller slot. 
 
     
     
       4. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a. a belt disposed about the roller; 
 b. a central gate having a closed position to cover a portion of the central pit and an open position to allow grain to enter the portion of the central pit; and 
 c. a sliding gate guide to prevent the central gate from interfering with the belt when the central gate is in the open position. 
 
     
     
       5. An unloading conveyor system for a grain bin comprising:
 a. a central pit; 
 b. an access support wall dividing the central pit into:
 i. a belt return portion; and 
 ii. a service access portion; 
 
 c. a first bearing mount mounted to the access support wall; 
 d. a second bearing mount mounted to an interior surface of the belt return portion; 
 e. a roller mounted to the first bearing mount and the second bearing mount; and 
 f. a roller slot disposed within the access support wall wherein the roller may be pivotally moved through the roller slot. 
 
     
     
       6. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 5  where the first bearing mount is mounted within the service access portion. 
     
     
       7. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 5  where the first bearing mount and the roller are accessible for service through the service access portion of the central pit. 
     
     
       8. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 5 , where the central pit further comprises:
 a. a center well; and 
 b. a backstop mounted between the center well and the belt return portion. 
 
     
     
       9. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 8 , where the backstop is made from rubber. 
     
     
       10. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 8  where the backstop has a curvilinear bottom edge. 
     
     
       11. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 10 , where the curvilinear bottom edge is complementary to a midpan. 
     
     
       12. An unloading conveyor system for a grain bin comprising:
 a. a central pit having:
 i. a center well; 
 ii. a belt return portion; and 
 
 b. a grain backstop mounted between the center well and the belt return portion. 
 
     
     
       13. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 12 , where the backstop is made from rubber. 
     
     
       14. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 12 , where the backstop has a curvilinear bottom edge. 
     
     
       15. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 14 , where the curvilinear bottom edge is complementary to a midpan. 
     
     
       16. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a. an access support wall dividing the belt return portion from a service access portion. 
 
     
     
       17. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 16  further comprising:
 a. a roller slot disposed within the access support wall wherein a roller may be pivotally removed from the belt return portion through the roller slot. 
 
     
     
       18. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 17  further comprising:
 a. a roller slot cover mounted to the access support wall to cover the roller slot. 
 
     
     
       19. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 12 , wherein the grain backstop is mounted vertically within the central pit and is generally U-shaped. 
     
     
       20. The unloading conveyor system of  claim 12 , wherein the grain backstop is structured to prevent material from entering the belt return portion.